Cell phone towers overshadow resident concerns

6/16/09The City of Boston came under fire this week as concerned residents voiced their opposition to the placement of cell phone towers around some parts of the city, bemoaning a lack of municipal oversight, citizen input, and the cell phone industry's regard for the possible health risks.

Boston city councilor Charles Yancey called a meeting at City Hall to address the "overwhelming citizen response" to the towers. During the June 9th hearing, Yancey acknowledged the concerns of Hub residents, calling the towers "inescapable" and "obtrusive," while briefly commenting on potential health effects.






North End resident and mother Dr. Juliet Jacobsen, a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital whose roof deck has recently been adorned by a large tower, addressed the council, warning that consumer safety has been entrusted to the industry, a fact which lacks necessary government oversight.

"I'm speaking as a mother, as a resident, and as a physician," she said.